Indicating device, specially in a vehicle

ABSTRACT

An indicating device in a vehicle that supplies complementary information to the driver of the vehicle. The device is provided with at least one scale for displaying basic information on an index disc. The index disc includes indicators arranged in close connection with and in relation to individual indexes of the scale and arranged as individually controllable light sources for indicating complementary information, which is relatable to the scale. The scale is arranged so that the basic information includes the vehicle speed and the complementary information of a relative speed to a vehicle in front.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention refers to an indicating device, specially in avehicle and intended for supplying complementary information to thedriver of the vehicle, which device is provided with at least one scalefor showing basic information or the like on an index disc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The vehicles of today are usually arranged with one or several computerunits, which control certain functions of the vehicle to provide a saferand more comfortable driving.

There is a need to supply the driver of a vehicle with some information,preferably in real time. Presently, there are several types of displays,which by means of for example text or symbols can supply relevantinformation. However, these are usually complex and require theconcentration of the driver to read the information. A person hasusually difficulty to utilize written information quickly and since thedriver at the same time must focus on the traffic, these types ofdisplays are unsuitable, particularly for supplying fast, variableinformation.

It is also known to use different types of light sources, such as diodesand lights arranged on the instrument panel. Depending on the amount ofthe information to be supplied, the number of light sources can vary andthese may be arranged slightly apart from the centrally placedindicating devices important for the driver, for example a speedometer,which requires that the driver must turn his attention away from it. Thelight source may also be placed best, for example through mounting itwithin an indicating device board. In this case, the layout of theindicating device is affected and the assembly will become morecomplicated, for example because of small space for making holes andmounting of the light source.

THE OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION AND MOST IMPORTANT FEATURES

The objects of the present invention are:

to simultaneously supply one or several types of information quickly anddistinctly,

to supply visual information, for example additional information,without the driver losing his attention from the surrounding traffic,

to present a simple and relatively affordable indicating device, withoutneed for exhaustive changes of the existing instruments on theinstrument panel, and

to present an indicating device, which can be produced without obscureindicators.

These objects have been achieved by equipping the index disc of theindicating device with indicators placed in close connection with and inrelation to individual indexes of the scale and arranged as individuallycontrollable light sources for indicating complementary information,which is relatable to said scale, and said instrument being adapted sothat the basic information consists of the vehicle speed and thecomplementary information of a relative speed to a vehicle in front.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in more details with reference to anone-limiting embodiment illustrated on the enclosed drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows schematically a speedometer according to the presentinvention, and

FIG. 2 shows schematically a cut along line II—II in FIG. 1 withdismounted details.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 and 2 show an example, in which the invention is implemented in aspeedometer 10. The speedometer includes an index disc 11 provided withscales or speed indexes 12. An indicator 13 is provided in a known waywhich displays the actual speed. The index disc may consist of a thinplastic film with partly coloured and partly luminous transmittingareas, which can from the indicators.

On or behind the index disc 11, preferably close to each index 12, anindicator is provided comprising optical emitting devices or lightsources 14, for example lamps and/or light-emitting diodes. In thefollowing, it is assumed that the light source is a light-emitting diode(LED). LEDs are connected to a driving unit (not shown) which also areconnected to a control unit (not shown). The driving unit switches on oroff the LEDs 14, simultaneously or individually, in accordance withsignals from the control unit. Moreover, the LEDs may be arranged toilluminate with different colours or intensity depending on, for examplethe supply voltage.

The LEDs 14 are attached conductively, e.g. through soldering or gluingonto an essentially translucent and flexible printed circuit card 15(PCB), which is provided with printed (etched) conductors or the like.To prevent the visibility of the LEDs and disturbance of the layout ofthe disc, a light-guide 16 is arranged between the LED/PCB and thebackside of the disc 11. On the light guide 16, which may consist of,e.g. plexiglass, a cavity 17 is provided at least for each diode, whichreceive the LEDs and serve as a light concentrator, which providesbetter contrast. As the diode 14 is mounted invisible underneath thedisc, only the illumination is visible without disturbing the layout ofthe disc. The PCB is translucent to prevent pools of brighter or darkerpoints to interfere the light-guiding characteristics of thelight-guides.

During the assembly, the PCB 15 and the light guide 16 are placed oneach other and the entire package is arranged on the backside of theindex disc 11 and fastened by means of screws, glue or the like.

According to an embodiment a cruise control system in a vehicle controlsthe speed with regard to a relative speed, relative to a vehicle ahead,which relative speed is displayed for the driver by means of turned onLEDs 14 corresponding to the relative speed at the same time as theindicator 13 shows the actual speed of the vehicle. FIG. 1 illustratesan embodiment of this application. The indicator 13 shows about 85 km/hat the same time a light column of LEDs (dark LEDs) from index 85 downto 35. This means that the vehicle with 50 km/h approaches anothervehicle in front. Consequently, the driver appreciates this angularinformation much better and in an intuitive way, and it can help her/himto make better decisions in good time.

The information may also be used for other objectives, for example ifthe vehicle is provided with cruise control a light-emitting diode canby illuminating in another colour or intensity indicate the selectedspeed, or for example indicate the engine speed in the speedometer etc.

Obviously, the indicating device according to the invention does notneed to be used in a vehicle, but can be used in any vessel andapplication, where two or more simultaneous information must bedisplayed. It is also possible to arrange additional rows of lightsources, for example for illumination purposes.

While we have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of theinvention, it is obvious that several variations and modificationswithin the scope of the attached claims can occur.

What is claimed is:
 1. An indicating device for use in vehicles and forsupplying complementary information to a driver of the vehicle, whichdevice is provided with at least one scale for displaying basicinformation on an index disc, wherein the index disc of said deviceincludes indicators arranged in close connection with and in relation toindividual indexes of the scale and arranged as individuallycontrollable light sources for indicating complementary information,which is relatable to said scale, and that said device is so arrangedthat the basic information consists of vehicle speed and thecomplementary information of a relative speed to a vehicle in front. 2.A device according to claim 1, wherein the light source comprises alight-emitting diode (LED), which is arranged to assume at least twostates, whereby each state alone or in combination with the index of thescale constitutes the supplied information.
 3. A device according toclaim 1, wherein at least one light source is arranged close to eachindex.
 4. A device according to claim 2, wherein said state for thelight source is on, off and/or color or intensity variation.
 5. A deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the index disc comprises a substantiallythin, and at least within certain areas translucent material, forexample a film, an essentially translucent carrying substrate providedwith printed conductors for connection to the LEDs, and a light guidearranged between the LEDs and the index disc.
 6. A device according toclaim 5, wherein the light guide is provided with cavities for receivingthe LEDs.